Phillips & Rodgers M47 Medusa: Multicaliber Revolver for a Nonexistent Apocalypse

Published on September 21, 2025
Duration: 1:05

This guide details the unique loading technique for the Phillips & Rodgers M47 Medusa revolver, which accommodates both rimmed and rimless cartridges like .357 Magnum and 9mm Parabellum. The video, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons, highlights the revolver's K-frame basis and its specialized cylinder mechanism. While innovative, the analysis suggests its complexity makes it less practical than standard revolvers for most applications.

Quick Summary

The Phillips & Rodgers M47 Medusa is a unique multi-caliber revolver based on the Smith & Wesson K frame. Its specialized cylinder uses bendable fingers to accommodate both rimmed (.357 Magnum, .38 Special) and rimless (9mm Parabellum) cartridges by adapting headspacing. While innovative, its complexity presents practical limitations compared to standard revolvers.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the M47 Medusa
  2. 00:17Cylinder Mechanism Explained
  3. 00:47Loading Demonstration
  4. 00:59Pros and Cons Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Phillips & Rodgers M47 Medusa a unique revolver?

The M47 Medusa is unique due to its multi-caliber capability, designed to fire various cartridges like .357 Magnum and 9mm Parabellum using a specialized cylinder with bendable extractor fingers that adapt to different cartridge headspacing requirements.

How does the M47 Medusa handle both rimmed and rimless cartridges?

Rimmed cartridges headspace on their rim, while rimless cartridges like 9mm are held by the cylinder's six bendable fingers gripping the extractor groove, allowing for proper alignment and firing.

What are the practical advantages and disadvantages of the M47 Medusa?

Its primary advantage is firing multiple calibers. However, the complexity and design trade-offs make it less practical for general use compared to standard, single-caliber revolvers, as noted by Ian McCollum.

What firearm frame is the M47 Medusa based on?

The Phillips & Rodgers M47 Medusa revolver is based on the well-known Smith & Wesson K frame pattern, suggesting familiar ergonomics and size for those familiar with S&W revolvers.

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